A Peruvian congressional committee found that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has shown a hostile attitude toward Peru since taking office in October, citing her refusal to recognize the constitutional succession after ex-President Pedro Castillo’s removal and her description of him as the “legitimate president of Peru.” File Photo by Sashanka Gutierrez/EPA
Peru’s congressional Foreign Relations Committee approved a proposal to declare Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum “persona non grata” over her public statements defending former President Pedro Castillo, who is accused of attempting a self-coup in 2022.
The measure was passed by the committee on Monday with 12 votes in favor and six against. It will now go before the full Congress, which must decide whether to ratify or reject the declaration.
Lawmakers who supported the proposal said Sheinbaum has shown a hostile attitude toward Peru since taking office in October, citing her refusal to recognize the constitutional succession after Castillo’s removal and her description of him as the “legitimate president of Peru.”
“This motion punishes Claudia Sheinbaum for her bombastic and offensive statements against Peru, its constitutionality and respect for institutions,” said Ernesto Bustamante, vice president of the Foreign Relations Committee.
Congresswoman Maricarmen Alva said the measure is not directed at the Mexican people, but is meant to defend Peru’s sovereignty.
“Peru demands respect for its sovereignty and its institutions. We cannot allow an attempted coup to be downplayed or our democracy distorted,” Alva said.
During her morning press conference Tuesday, Sheinbaum responded to the motion approved in Peru’s Congress.
“It doesn’t matter, we will maintain our position,” Sheinbaum said.
On Aug. 29, Sheinbaum wrote on her X account, “I welcomed Guido Croxatto, attorney for President Pedro Castillo, who is unjustly imprisoned in Peru, at the National Palace. On behalf of Mexico, I express my deepest solidarity with him and his family, because we know his situation is not only a personal case but a serious precedent of political persecution and discrimination in our region.”
She added: “The United Nations must act decisively to guarantee respect for human rights and justice. The freedom of Pedro Castillo is also the defense of democracy and the dignity of our peoples.”
Castillo, who is on trial for his failed attempt to dissolve Congress, remains in Barbadillo prison on charges that could bring a sentence of up to 34 years.
